Smoking can increase mortality risk and decrease quality of life for older adults. When they stop smoking, seniors can experience many benefits, such as increased longevity and fewer chronic conditions. Here are some reasons aging adults need to quit smoking.
1. Lower the Risk of Vision Loss
Smoking increases the odds of glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome, and cataracts in aging adults. Maintaining good vision is vital to the ability to live independently. Without good vision, it’s difficult to independently complete daily tasks, such as bathing, cooking, and driving. By giving up smoking, seniors can reduce their odds of developing an eye disease.
2. Stave Off Diabetes
Using tobacco products can increase sugar levels in the body and cause insulin resistance. Keep in mind adults over the age of 65 have a higher risk of developing diabetes due to increased insulin resistance and impaired pancreatic function caused by aging. Therefore, seniors need to refrain from smoking to stave off diabetes and enhance their overall wellbeing.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional in-home care. Montgomery families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.
3. Boost Heart Health
Heart disease is one of the most common conditions seniors face, and it’s a significant cause of death among aging adults. Smoking damages the lining of the arteries and causes the buildup of fatty material that eventually narrows those arteries. When this happens, seniors are at a higher risk of strokes and heart attacks. However, seniors who give up smoking can increase the amount of oxygen in their blood and boost their heart health.
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Montgomery, AL, live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place.
4. Enhance the Senses of Taste and Smell
As adults continue to age, their sense of smell may begin to fade, which also affects the sense of taste. The loss of important sensory nerve function in the nose and tongue can greatly impact quality of life. Seniors who smoke have an increased risk of dulling their senses, which is why they should give up smoking altogether.
5. Slow Down Skin Wrinkling
Wrinkles are a normal part of aging, but smoking can accelerate the process. Smoking cigarettes can cause biochemical changes that lead to drier and less elastic skin. When seniors give up smoking, they reduce the constriction of blood vessels and stop depriving their skin tissue of the oxygen it needs, which can slow down the skin wrinkling process.
6. Prevent Infections
Many seniors are unaware that smoking makes them more susceptible to seasonal colds and severe viruses due to the toxic components found in tobacco products. Smoking can increase the risk of viral infections because it damages the tiny hairs known as cilia that line the respiratory tract. However, when seniors stop smoking, the cilia start functioning normally and protect against infections.
Professional caregivers with training in promoting healthy habits can be a wonderful source of information and support for seniors who are trying to quit smoking. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of senior home care. Montgomery families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate, professional home care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (334) 593-3988.